Key Characteristics

Hens tend to be placid and make good broodies. They do tolerate confinement but their size should be taken into account when housing is selected. 

History

• The Langshan Society was formed in 1884 with the type of birds imported by Major Croad.
• Following a move by many members to select for a tighter feathered type which looked taller and less meaty than the Croad type, Miss Croad left the Society in 1900, forming her new Croad Langshan Club in 1904.
• Modern Langshans have been described as ’offshoots from Croads’ but in terms of the relevant specialist clubs, it was actually the other way round, as the Modern/Society type breeders retained control of the original Society.
• Modern Langshans had a brief period of considerable popularity, up until the outbreak of war in 1914.
• The Society continued through to 1939 at reduced, but still not too bad level of support, and was the suspended ‘for the duration of the Second World War’, and never revived.
• The last known flock from pre-war strains were kept going through to 1970 by the son of the last Langshan Society secretary, who then passed them onto a few other rare poultry breed conservationists. 

Appearance

• They are tall birds which combined with their fairly tight plumage, may make them look ‘skinny’ to casual observers
• This is deceptive, and they are actually heavy birds-adult cocks weighing 4.55kg.
• Black is the most common colour but Blues and Whites have been known.

Uses

Hens lay a moderate number of brown eggs but due to the breed's rarity, most are used for breeding.

Did you know?

The Modern Langshan is one of the UK’s rarest breeds and at the time of writing, there is only one known significant flock of Modern Langshans in the UK which may well be the world population as this breed was very much a UK only type of Langshan.

Breed Societies

Rare Poultry Society